World leaders gather to remember icon Mandela

People arrive for the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, Dec. 10, 2013. (Xinhua/Li Qihua)

World leaders and tens of thousands of South Africans on Tuesday gathered in rain at a stadium in South Africa's Johannesburg to honor former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as well as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were among the more than 90 leaders coming to honor the icon who died of lung trouble at the age of 95 at his house in Johannesburg on Dec 5.

Mandela led the decades-long struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He was jailed for 27 years and released in 1990. Mandela became South Africa's first post-apartheid president in 1994. "Today we reflect on our memories of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela," Cyril Ramaphosa, deputy president of South Africa's governing party ANC said when opening the service. "Today's memorial service should help each of us to gather our memories of Nelson Mandela."

Mandela could finally rest and enjoy the view of South Africa, he said. "His long walk has ended, but ours is just beginning," he said.

As a special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Li expressed deep condolences and paid high tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela, describing him as the pride of the African people.

"For all his life, he had strived for the liberation of African nations, championed the dignity of the African people and endeavored to advance the unity of all African countries and move forward Africa's cooperation with the world," Li said. He had dedicated his entire life to the development and progress of Africa, he added.

"Mr. Mandela had committed himself to China-South Africa friendship and China-Africa cooperation with great passion. The Chinese people will always cherish the memory of his significant contribution to China-South Africa friendship and China-Africa relations," he said.

He mentioned Mandela was an old friend of the Chinese people and a household name in China. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a great friend. At the same time, we are heartened to see that the cause Mr. Mandela had started will be carried forward," he said.

"We believe that under the leadership of President Zuma and the government of South Africa, the South African people will continue to make big strides forward along the path of national rejuvenation and development," he said.

"China stands ready to work with South Africa to deepen China- South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership, bring benefits to the two countries and two peoples, and make positive contribution to the noble cause of world peace and development," he said.

Mandela, Mao shared similarities: S Africa ambassador

The late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela shared similarities with China's former leader Mao Zedong, said Bheki Langa, South African Ambassador to China in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Tuesday.

"They were both very strong leaders who fought for the liberation of their people, and who also contributed to laying the foundation for further development in society," Langa said at the South African Embassy in northeastern Beijing. Full story